Greenlandic Verbs

Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Greenlandic. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Greenlandic.

Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Greenlandic conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:

Present Tense - Greenlandic
I speak English Tuluttut oqalussinnaavunga
you speak French Franskisut oqalussinnaavutit
he speaks German Tyskisut oqalussinnaavoq
she speaks Italian Italiamiutut oqalussinnaavoq
we speak Arabic Arabiamiutut oqalussinnaavugut
they speak Chinese Kinamiutut oqalussinnaavut

The past tense in Greenlandic conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:

Past Tense - Greenlandic
I visited France Frankrigimiippunga
you visited Italy Italiamiipputit
he visited Morocco Morokkomiippoq
she visited China Kinamiippoq
we visited Mexico Mexikomiippugut
they visited Kenya Kenyamiipput

The future tense in Greenlandic conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:

Future Tense - Greenlandic
I will drink milk Immummik imerumavunga
you will drink coffee Kaffisorusupputit
he will drink tea Tiitorusuppoq
she will drink water Imermik imerumavoq
we will drink apple juice Æblejuice-imik imerumavugut
they will drink tea Tiitorumapput

Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.

ear siut

eye isi

mouth qaneq

nose qingaq

hair nutsat

face kiinaq

head niaqoq

heart uummat

hand assak

fingers inuaat

leg niu

feet isigat

Travel Phrases in Greenlandic

Imagine yourself in some Greenlandic speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!

English - Greenlandic
Can you help me? Ikiulaannga?
Can I help you? Ikiorsinnaavakkit?
Where is the airport? Naak timmisartut mittarfiat?
Go straight Siumuinnaq ingerlagit
Then Taava
Turn left Saamimmut
Turn right Talerpimmut

I hope this lesson about the verbs in Greenlandic was not hard for you. Please check out our main menu here for more lessons: homepage. To see the full menu, you can also click on the "Menu" icon on the left side.